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May 2018 ) Air pollution worse inside London classrooms than outside, study finds

the guardian) Sandra LavilleThu 24 May 2018 11.55 BST Exclusive: study of schools in capital finds dangerous levels of fine particulate pollution within classrooms, putting children at risk Children in London schools are being exposed to higher levels of damaging air pollution inside the classroom than outside, putting them at risk of lifelong health problems,… [Read More]

Children in London schools are being exposed to higher levels of damaging air pollution inside the classroom than outside, putting them at risk of lifelong health problems, a new study has revealed.

Scientists studied five primary schools and one nursery in the capital as part of research into levels of air pollution indoors. The research shows that outdoor air pollution from diesel vehicles and other sources – both of nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution – is affecting the lives of children inside schools.

Young children – who are more vulnerable to airborne pollutants than adults – are breathing in fine particle pollution (PM10 and the even smaller PM2.5) at levels which are higher than the annual World Health Organisation guidelines of 20μg/m3 and 10μg/m3 respectively, the report said. Particulate pollution is primarily a product of diesel vehicles, tyre and brake dust, and solid fuel-burning, but can also come from inside a building itself.

In the case of PM10, children are being exposed to higher levels inside their lessons than outside on the street or in the playground, the report found.

The study, which was commissioned by the mayor of London and carried out by the Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering at University College London and the University of Cambridge chemistry department, examined five primaries and one nursery.

The report said a significant level of air pollution indoors in urban areas was due to outdoor pollution penetrating the buildings.

• This article was amended on 29 May 2018 because the annual World Health Organisation guidelines for the levels of fine particle pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 are 20μg/m3 and 10μg/m3respectively, not 10μg/m3 and 20μg/m3 as an earlier version said.